Ten years ago, in my hometown in Malaysia, specialty coffee was still growing, and what first drew me in was latte art. I was fascinated by how a simple cup of coffee could feel transformed through care, precision, and detail. There was something captivating about the way a beautiful pour could elevate an everyday drink, and that curiosity slowly became the beginning of my coffee journey.
After a few years working in Singapore, I eventually discovered Alchemist through visits to The Mill and Khong Guan. The spaces immediately stood apart from anything I had experienced before. The layouts, the atmosphere, and the openness of the cafés felt completely different, but what stayed with me most was the people behind the bar. The way the baristas approached their craft, and the care they showed every guest, made me want to become part of the team.
When I first joined Alchemist, I quickly realised how much attention was given to the unseen details behind every cup. Coffee here was never only about the final drink. There was constant care happening behind the scenes: small refinements, adjustments, and an obsessive focus on consistency throughout the day. Earlier in my career, most of my struggles were technical. I spent a lot of time learning milk texture, refining latte art, and building consistency in my pours. But at Alchemist, the challenge became more mental than technical. I had to train myself to notice and care about the smallest details, even the ones most people would never see.
Over time, my understanding of coffee also changed. I realised that calibration becomes much simpler once you truly understand the profile you are trying to achieve. More importantly, I came to believe that coffee should never feel exclusive or intimidating. Coffee is part of everyday life, and our role is to make high-level craft approachable and enjoyable for everyone who walks through the door.
The team culture shaped me deeply as well. Everyone was incredibly serious about quality, but there was still warmth, humour, and energy behind the bar. It taught me that you can pursue high standards without losing the joy in what you do.
As my role evolved, my focus gradually shifted from making coffee to supporting the people around me. Today, I spend less time thinking about individual output and more time helping the team grow together. I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for the unseen effort required to keep a bar running well every day, and this journey has taught me that challenges are not obstacles, but opportunities to improve.
As Alchemist moves into its next decade, I hope to continue refining our standards while helping build a team that feels genuinely connected, not just through coffee, but through the sense of community we create together every day.
